HoloLens and holograms: FAQ

Here are some answers to questions you might have about using HoloLens, placing holograms, working with spaces, and more.

Any time you're having problems, make sure HoloLens is ﻿charged up﻿. Try restarting it to see if that fixes things. And please use the Feedback app to send us info about the issue—you'll find it on the Start menu.

Try walking around and gazing at your surroundings so HoloLens can scan them more completely.

If you’ve placed a lot of holograms, try removing some.

If you're still having problems, run the HoloLens device utility apps to make sure your device is properly adjusted.

Calibration app. Try this one first. It calibrates your HoloLens just for you, to help keep your holograms looking their best. Go to Settings > System > Utilities. Under Calibration, select Open Calibration.

Sensor Tuning app. If you’ve run the Calibration app and you’re still having trouble, use the Sensor Tuning app to tune your device sensors. Go to Settings > System > Utilities. Under Sensor tuning, select Open Sensor Tuning.

When HoloLens is learning or loading a space, you might see a brief message that says “Trying to map your surroundings.” If this message continues for more than a few seconds, or you see a Use in limited mode button, it means HoloLens is having trouble mapping the space.

If you use HoloLens in limited mode, you’ll be able to open apps but you won’t be able to place holograms in your environment. Once HoloLens can map your space again, you’ll be able to return to normal mode.

Make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal. If you enter a new environment that has no Wi-Fi or a weak signal, HoloLens won’t be able to create a space for it. If you’re in a space you’ve already saved and are having problems with Wi-Fi, load the space manually by going to Settings > System > Spaces.

If you don’t see holograms you placed, or you’re seeing some you don’t expect, try the following:

If your HoloLens is in limited mode, try turning on some lights. If that doesn’t help, use the Sensor Tuning app to tune the device sensors. Go to Settings > System > Utilities. Under Sensor tuning, select Open Sensor Tuning.

Make sure the right space is loaded in Settings > System > Spaces. If it isn’t, select the correct space and then select Load.

If the correct space is loaded and you’re still having problems, you might need to delete the space and recreate it. This will remove all holograms for the space. (Apps won’t be removed, but their data for the space will be deleted.) Go to Settings > System > Spaces and select the space. Then select Remove > Remove and restart your HoloLens—it will recreate the space.

Note

If the layout or lighting in your space changes significantly, your device might have trouble identifying and loading the space.

If HoloLens can’t automatically identify and load the space you’re in, make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal, there’s plenty of light in the room, and there haven’t been any major changes to your surroundings. To load a space manually or manage your spaces, go to Settings > System > Spaces.

If you’re very close to a wall, or if HoloLens hasn’t scanned the wall yet, you’ll be able to see holograms that are in the next room. Stand 1 to 3 meters from the wall and gaze to scan it.

If HoloLens has problems scanning the wall, it might be because there’s a black or reflective object nearby (for example, a black couch or a stainless steel refrigerator). If there is, scan the other side of the wall.

Delete unused spaces. Go to Settings > System > Spaces. Select a space you no longer need, then select Remove.

Remove some of the holograms you’ve placed, or remove some saved data from within apps. How do I find my data?

Delete some pictures and videos in the Photos app. This will also delete them from OneDrive.

Uninstall some apps from your HoloLens. In the All apps list, tap and hold the app you want to uninstall, then select Uninstall. (This will also delete any of the app’s data that’s stored on the device.)

To make sure HoloLens can see your gestures, keep your hand in the gesture frame, which extends a couple of feet on either side of you. HoloLens can also best see your hand when you hold it about 18 inches in front of your body (though you don’t have to be precise about this). When HoloLens can see your hand, the cursor will change from a dot to a ring. ﻿﻿Learn more about using gestures﻿.﻿

Use the clicker to select, scroll, move, and resize holograms. Additional clicker gestures may vary from app to app.

If you’re having trouble using the clicker, make sure it’s charged and paired with your HoloLens. If the battery is low, the indicator light will blink amber. To see if it’s paired, go to Settings > Devices and see if it shows up there. Pair the clicker.

If the clicker is charged and paired and you’re still having problems, reset it by holding down the main button and the pairing button for 15 seconds. Then pair the clicker with your HoloLens again.

In many troubleshooting situations, you should try the Calibration app first, and if that doesn’t solve the problem, run Sensor Tuning. For details about specific problems, see the other questions and answers in this FAQ.

You may need to run the Sensor Tuning app more than once, depending on how much tuning your device needs and the environment you run it in.

To get the best tuning results:

Run Sensor Tuning in a room with sufficient (but not overly bright) lighting and lots of furniture, stuff on the walls, objects on the tables and counters, and so on. These contrasts and patterns help HoloLens map the room effectively.